Description

1799 $1 Irregular Date AU55 PCGS. 13 Stars. B-15, BB-152.
R.3. Die State II. The 1799 "Reverse of 1798" Dollar is a variety
that should be listed in A Guide Book of United States Coins
("The Redbook"), but for some reason it is not. It is the only 1799
variety with the reverse stars arranged in a line pattern as on
certain 1798-dated Dollars. It is the only die variety that pairs a
1799 dated obverse with a reverse die used to strike (two) die
marriages dated 1798. The reverse die was used first to strike the
1798 B-25, BB-123 variety, followed by 1798 B-24, BB-124. The
reverse die was probably then put in storage until it was used to
produce the 1799 B-15, BB-152. Bowers termed this reverse die the
"Blundered Stars Reverse," so-called as some of the reverse stars
overlap the clouds. He speculated, "Perhaps, the engraver had too
much rum (or "ayle," per National Archives records) while cutting
this die!"
On both 1798 B-24, BB-124 and 1799 B-15, BB-152 there is a die
break from the stem to the rim on the reverse, which is quite heavy
on this specimen. This example is struck from Bowers Die State II,
"not seen by the author" (as of the 1993 publication of this
reference).
The obverse of this specimen is toned in shades of medium gray and
gold, with some very light adjustment marks noted, primarily on
Liberty's hair and the neck. The reverse is toned a light
silver-gray color. Much luster survives in the protected areas.
There are some light scratches on the obverse between Liberty and
the first two stars, and a tiny scratch is located on Liberty's
neck. On the reverse, a few light, scattered contact marks can be
seen under the toning.
This piece ranks as the #3 specimen on the Condition Census for the
variety and is currently tied with one other piece (from a
different variety) as the finest 1799 Irregular Date, 13 Reverse
Stars Dollar certified by PCGS.From the Cardinal Collection. (PCGS# 6880)